GOLFERS have helped ensure the safety of a young disabled girl with a fundraising push to provide the specialist equipment she needs.

Three-year-old Mia Brown, of Denholme, has multiple disabilities in the form of a brain condition called Hydrocelphalus and epilepsy, which means she has not meet many of the normal milestones of children’s development.

She has no independent mobility and limited head control, which presented difficulties for her mum, Michelle, in taking her on car journeys because conventional children’s safety seats did not meet her needs.

That’s where East Bierley Golf Club stepped in, raising £1,500 last year with a range of activities towards the £1,922 cost of a specialist car seat, sourced via the Newlife Foundation.

Jan Kudelnitzky, of the club’s charity fundraising committee, said: “We chose Newlife Foundation because we know of the important role the organisation can play in supporting families who face many challenges in caring for a child with a disability or life-limiting illness.

“We requested the monies raised be used locally, as this is one of the criteria that influences our choice of charity each year.

“We hope that through our efforts more families will become aware of the work of Newlife and feel motivated to apply for support, and that more organisations will choose to support the foundation through charity fundraising.”

Mia’s mum, Michelle Brown, said: “We had been using a standard car seat but every time I braked, Mia would flop forward. I’d then have to lean over and put her back in place in the seat. Safety was a big issue.”

There is no state funding available for such equipment, and the family went to Newlife for help because the charity had previously supported them.

Michelle added: “We have been using the new car seat since the middle of December – and it has made a vast improvement to Mia’s comfort and safety when travelling. Because it has a turntable base, it is much easier for us to get her in and out of the car.

“There is a five-point harness and extra head cushions so she doesn’t flop around any more, and she looks so snug in the seat.”

Newlife operations manager, Stephen Morgan, said: “In 2014, we invested £64,275 in the care of disabled and terminally ill children in West Yorkshire.

“The increased demand on our services means we are calling on ‘local heroes’, like the members of East Bierley Golf Club, to support our vital work.”